Pets in Cyprus: import rules, paperwork, required permits

Are you a pet owner and planning a trip to Cyprus? The country's legislation allows you to take them with you. But please have in mind that for such a trip you will need to prepare a number of documents, required by Cyprus authorities for the import of animals. You should also make sure that there are no problems with the travelling pet on board the aircraft.

Requirements to be met before travelling to Cyprus with a pet

At first glance, it may seem that going on vacation with a dog or a cat is more difficult than buying a property in Cyprus. But if you plan everything in advance regarding the necessary permits and documents, there shouldn’t be any problem at all.

The requirements for the import of animals to Cyprus are basically the following:

1. When booking or buying tickets, you must notify the airline that the animal will be flying with the passengers. This information is needed not only for the airline but also for the airport of Cyprus, which the carrier will notify about the date of arrival of passengers with animals. They are obliged to do this 48 hours before the plane lands.
2. The animal that is imported into the country must have an identifying microchip. You can put it in a veterinary clinic, which has a special license for this. The microchip must be accompanied by documents confirming that it is installed in the pet that crosses borders. It should be noted that the installed microchip must comply with the international standards ISO 11784 or ISO 11785. Any other type of device will become a problem when importing pets into Cyprus.
3. Large dogs like American Pit Bull Terrier and Dogo Argentino are not allowed to be imported in Cyprus.
4. Pets in Cyprus must be accompanied by their owners. After the plane has landed, the animal, together with the owner, will be sent to the veterinary service inspector. If they suspect that something is wrong with the animal, it can be quarantined.

To keep abreast of the latest changes in the animal import rules, you can contact the migration service of your country or the Cyprus migration service by phone. A similar need may arise upon arrival on the island, and therefore it is a good idea to always have a mobile connection at hand. In Cyprus, you can use roaming or purchase a SIM card from local operators.

Documents for the import of animals to Cyprus

At the border, pets are going through the same ID checks as humans. For it everything to go smooth, the following documents will be required for the import of dogs in Cyprus (a similar kit is needed for the import of all other types of animals):

1. Pet’s passport. It can be obtained in the same place as the chip - public or private veterinary clinics that are licensed to issue passports. Please note that for a trip abroad you need an international passport. It is also worth making all the marks about the vaccination that the animal received.
2. Animal Health Certificate, also issued in veterinary clinics. To receive one, the animal needs to be vaccinated against rabies. This must be done 30 days before the departure. It must be accompanied by the test result for the presence of antibodies against the rabies virus.

Please note that not all hotels are pet friendly. In such a case, the solution would be to rent a property in Cyprus.

Rules for pet transport onboard the aircraft and travelling with them in Cyprus

If the documents for pet import to Cyprus are always the same, the rules for transporting animals are different for each airline. Before departure, you should study this issue in detail on the official website of the airline or by calling the support service. Some of the most common requirements on board an aircraft are as follows:

1. Only pets with weight not exceeding 8 kg can be taken to the salon. All other animals will travel in the luggage compartment.
2. Regardless of the weight, the pet needs to be in a special container, otherwise, the owner and the pet will not be allowed on board, and the cost of tickets will not be compensated.
3. Carrying pets incur a separate cost, you can find out the amount when booking your ticket.

When walking your pet in Cyprus, you need to keep it close to you. If it is a large dog, it must be muzzled, especially when travelling by public transport. Renting a car in Cyprus will help to avoid this. Dog droppings are not allowed on the streets, so you should definitely have a plastic bag with you when out for a walk.

To sum it up, before venturing on a trip, it is worth weighing up all the pros and cons and possibly leave your pet at home, if there is a chance.